Stupak foe released from jail on federal charge

A man charged with threatening Michigan U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak has been released from jail after a court hearing in Bay City.

Attorney Robert Dunn says Russell Hesch was released Wednesday with an electronic monitor. He can't travel beyond a few counties in northern and mid-Michigan.

Federal prosecutors had asked a judge to keep the 73-year-old West Branch man in custody while he awaits trial. Hesch and son David Hesch of Loveland, Colo., are accused of conspiring to threaten Stupak because of the Democrat's vote in favor of a health care law.

The FBI says a letter threatened to paint the Mackinac Bridge with blood from Stupak and his family. David Hesch returns to federal court in Denver on Thursday.